I just recently painted my 92 Honda Accord. I color matched the paint at NAPA to the original color and painted the entire car except the very top, which didn't really need it. I also sprayed 2 coats of clear coat on the car after the color coats. I didn't think I did a bad job for not really knowing what I was doing. However, now the car has a dull look to it, even after spraying the clear coat layers. How do they get that mirror finish on professional paint jobs? I would like it to look more like the top of the car which has more of a glossy mirror finish. Do I need to buff the clear coat now or is it just my "less then professional" paint job? I figured there has to be some body shop guys out there that can give me some more info. Thanks for any help!

 

Comon Body Shop and Auto Painters..I know your out there..Give this member a good answer and of course a correct one..

 

Thanks wheelbroker, Still waiting. I may have to drive the car into a body shop and have them snicker at my paint job to get some advice. I know they are just going to tell me to let them do it over! I don't have 500 bucks to spend so for now I drive my dull Accord!!

 

I did same thing on my 94 EX and suspect the problem is spraying too much clear coat per pass. I think it's got to be several very light passes.

good luck

 

what about buffing out the clear coat? Should I get ahold of a power buffer and use some sort of buffing compound? Just wondering.

 

My clear coat was too rough to buff out, but if your coating is only fine bumps you might have success. You need a flat smoothing bar that reduces high points and not the valleys. A buffer may not do this type of buffing. I would think a flat sanding tool w/ very fine sandpaper.

Maybe some painting expert will chime in. I proved I don't belong anywhere near that category.

good luck

 

Sounds like you need to wet sand/ color sand the clear coat. Use 1000 grit wet sandpaper and do a small test area for practice...This is done only by hand with a very wet surface and soaked sandpaper. There should be plenty of info on this...Do a google search for "How to wetsand/ color sand your vehicle". You do this before you try buffing the finish to remove orange peel or eggshell spray finish. When it is time to "buff" the finish, use a product called "Cutting Compound" applied with a random orbital polisher. Again, do a small test area first, and take your time...It is a small car and will not take all day.